[The relationship between intraarticular pressure and bone circulation].

To determine the therapeutic value of the joint pumping method, the influence of joint pumping on circulation in the bone was investigated. Pressure in the bone marrow space of the femur, the tibia and the patella, and bone blood flow in the femur were measured during knee joint pumping therapy. The electrolytic hydrogen washout method was used to measure the bone blood flow. Bone marrow pressure in the femur and the patella increased proportionately with the increase of intraarticular pressure (IAP). In a few cases, an increase of bone marrow pressure on the other side of the femur and the patella was observed in parallel with the increase of IAP of the experimental knee. It is suggested that blood flow in the bone marrow increases with increasing IAP, and this was confirmed by the electrolytic method. Joint pumping plays a major role in the improvement of bone circulation.